BURY Town chairman Russell Ward says his club would be ready and able to tackle another move up the non-league pyramid should the opportunity arise.The west Suffolk side are currently in second place in the Southern League Midlands Division as they head into 2010, and although they still have much to do, a place in either the Isthmian or Southern Premier next season, is a real possibility.

Mike Bacon

BURY Town chairman Russell Ward says his club would be ready and able to tackle another move up the non-league pyramid should the opportunity arise.

The west Suffolk side are currently in second place in the Southern League Midlands Division as they head into 2010, and although they still have much to do, a place in either the Isthmian or Southern Premier next season, is a real possibility.

Only the winners of Bury's current division are guaranteed a promotion place, with the next four going into play-offs. There is much football still to be played, but Ward is adamant Bury will grab any chance to move up to Step Three.

“If you don't want to progress, why bother?” he said.

“I'm confident we are ready. It would require commitment from everyone of course, including the players, but we are ambitious.

“We've spoken about it internally and I know many of our fans speak about how we feel, but there is no doubt we would look to move up.”

Bury Town, Maldon Town and AFC Sudbury, along with Soham Town Rangers, have all moved up the pyramid in recent seasons, with Lowestoft Town joining them this campaign.

It's been a successful move for Lowestoft Town and Bury in particular. “We were not scared to make the move up and it helped that Sudbury moved up with us,” Ward added.

“It's just a shame Lowestoft were put in the Isthmian League, rather than with us and Sudbury, but I just hope more Eastern Counties League clubs want to move up.

“Because as far as I'm concerned the more that move up, the quicker the FA will regionalise this area of the country.”

Another factor in the Bury success has been Richard Wilkins.

The former Colchester United player has been at Ram Meadow for almost a decade and the seeds he has sowed are now bearing fruit.

“We know Richard inside out and he knows us the same way,” Ward added.

“He's a great coach, is well respected by the players, and we allow him to concentrate on that, while Trevor Collins looks after the contracts and that side of the sport.

“The trouble with the non-league game is that we tend to follow the pro one and get rid of managers just because a few results don't go your way.

“But if Manchester United suddenly lost five on the trot, you know Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn't be sacked. It's better the devil you know.”

What do you think? Are non-league clubs too quick to get rid of managers? Are Bury Town good enough to move up the non-league pyramid? e-mail mike.bacon@archant.co.uk and follow Mike on www.twitter.com Mike_Bacon